Foldable scaffold-jack.



H. G. TR'AUTWEIN.

FOLDABLE SCAFFOLD JACK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 19. 1916.

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Patented July 24, 1917.

l 2 SHEETS-SHEETI @mi ATTORNEYS u zz H. G. TRAUTWEIN. FOLDABLE SCAFFOLDJACK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-19.1916.

Patented July 24, 1917,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 1,. lll V [lll l!! HENRY e. rnaurwnnv, Vor NEW i. .L

"FQLDABLE scnFFoLD-Jacx. f

Specification `of /Letters Patent.

' ratenteaauiy aa, reir..

` Application led August I, 1916. Serial N o. 115,780.

To 'all 'whom t muy concern: Be it lmown that I, HENRY G. TRADTWEIN, acitizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essexand yState of New J ersey,` have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Foldable Scali'old-g Jacks; and I do hereby declare thefollowing lto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,'such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same, reference being had to the accom anying drawings,and to char# acters of re erence marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

The present invention relates, generally, to improvements in scaffoldjacks; and the invention has reference, more particularly,

to an improved construction of collapsible adjustablel scaffold jack,

The present invention has for its principal object to provide a verysimple, yet strong and durable, adjustable or extensible scaffold jackadapted to provide a firm and stable support for workmens scaffoldplatforms, said scaffold jack being so constructed that it may readilybecollapsed .or folded into a comparatively compact bulk, so as to renderthe same easily carriedabout from place to place or stored when not inuse.

AOther objects of the present invention, not at this time moreparticularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the followingdetailedy description ofthe same. v

With the various objects of the present invention in view, thefsameconsists, primarily, in the novel construction of foldable adjustablescaold jack hereinafter set forth; and, the invention consists,furthermore, in the several novel arrangements and combinations of thevarious devices and parts, as well as in the details of the constructionof the same, all of which will be more fully described in detail in thefollowing specilication, and then iinally embodied in the claims whichare appended to and which form an essential part of said specification.The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings,inwhich Figurev 1 is a side elevation of the novel construction ofscaffold jack made according to and embodying the principles of v.mypresent invention, the same being shown in its normal operated orerected position, ad-

justed to support a 'scaiiold platform at a desired height.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sect1on of the same,

.reference c taken'on line 2 2 in said Fig. 1, looking downward.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of thcsar'ne.

"Fig, lis a side elevation of the same, as it appears when collapsed andfolded up Ainto compact readily portable form.

Fig. 5 is a detail longitudinal section of Yone ofrthe laterallyextending leg braces `or struts used in connection A with 'said novelscaffold jack, the same being drawn on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 6 is a detail vertical longitudinal section through thelocking-latch of the extensible main standard or post of said scaffoldjack, the same being drawn on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 7 isa detail horizontal section taken on line 7 7 in said Fig. 1.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabovedescribed views to indicate corresponding parts.

Re erring now to the said drawings the aracter 1 indicates vthe'complete novel scaffold jack made according to and embodyin theprinciples of my present invention, t e same comprising a tubular mainbody or standard 2 within which is telescopi-y cally disposed a tubularextensible standard 3, adapted to be extended or projected from theupper end of said main body or standard 2. Secured upon the upper freeend of -said extensible standard 3 is a fixed collar -Supported upon theupper free end of i said extensible standard 3, in swiveled relationthereto, is a head-frame 5 having a downwardly extending hub-portion 6which is` inserted within the upper open end of said extensible standard3, so as to be capable of swiveling or turning therein. Said hubportion6 is provided with an annular groove 7 into which project the. free endsof retaining pins 8, which are secured in place 4by passing the samelaterally through said collar 4; and the walls of said extensiblestandard so that they project interiorly within the opening of thelatter and thus into said annular groove 7, thus retaining saidhead-frame 5 from removal while permitting the same to freely turn orswivelk in such secured position. Said head-frame 5 is further providedwith a .pair of upside thereof, 1s a wardly extending embracing arms 9,between which is inserted the beam or rail 10 uponwhich scaffoldplanking may be supported. Extending transversely through the upper endof one of said embracingin screwing relation thereto, 1s a).

'der portion with a bearing-socket 14, the

side walls of which are pierced to provide openings for transverselyextendmg hinge or ivot pins y15 to pass therethrough. ful

ecured upon the exterior of said Crum-block 12,1i11 a suitable locationis a- -latch member 16 which depends there rom, and extends downwardlyover the exterior of said main-body or standard 2, the free end-thereofterminating in an outwardly bent or curved Enger-piece 17. Secured tothesaid spring-latch member 16, inwardly from the under latch-pin or stud18, which extends through an opening or hole 19 suitsprin sa as toproject ably formed and' located in the wall 'of `said longitudinallymam-body orstandard 2, and thus is caused to project laterally into theinterior of s aid main-body or standard 2. Said extensible standard 3vis provided with a plurality of disposedholes or openings 20, spacedvone from the other at desired intervals, any` ene of which mayberegistered with said opening or hole 19 of said main body or standard 2,when said springlatch. member-16 is manipulated. to withdraw said`latch-pinl or stud 18, so that when said `spring-latch member isreleased said -latch-pin or stud 18 will enter the registered holeoropening 20 and thus lock said extensible standard' 3'in a desiredextended position to elevate said head-frame 5 to the desired height. vThe'reference character 21 indicates the main leg-members of the scaoldjack 1, the

same beingof tubular form. Telescopically disposed within the said mainleg-members 21 are .tubular extensible/leg-portions 22, adapted .to beextended or projected from the lower ends of saidmain leg-members 21.Secured within the upper end of each main leg-member 21 isthe butt 23 ofa perforated" journal-lug or ear 24, which projects upwardly from saidupper ends of said main leg-members. Saidjournal-lugs or ears 24; areinserted within a bearing-socket 14 of a Afulcrum-lug 13 so that saidhinge or pivotpin 15 thereof ypasses through the perforar-'- y tion ofsaid journal-lugs or ears 24:, and thus pivotally connects each mainwith said main bodyl or standard 2. Each extensible leg-portion 22 isprovided with a. suitably positioned interiorly disposed anchor-block 25aiiixed thereto. Secured o1' anchored in said anchor-block 25 isa studor the wall of said yextensible leg-portion 22, and thence through alongitudinally extending guide-slot 27 provided in the wall of said mainleg-member 21, and thence through an opening 28 of a slip-collar 29which is slidably disposed upon the exterior 'of said main leg-members21.. The free end leg-member 21 shank 26 which projects outwardlythrougl effA 30 of said stud or shank `projects from said slip-collar 29and is screw-threaded to receive va winged lock-nut 31. 'Now if it isdesired to extend outwardly said extensible leg-portion 22 to lengthenthe leg and thereby increase the elevation of the jack, said end 30 ofsaid stud or shank 26, and pushed downwardly upon said main leg-member21. This downward movement of said slip-collar is transmitted to said,stud or shank 26 and through the same to said extensible Nlegwingedlock-nut 31 is loosened on the free portion 22so that the same isthereby moved outwardly or extended from the lower end sible leg-portionislocked in immovable relation to said main leg-member by tighteningupthe winged lock-nut 31 which tends to inch the vintervening wallportions of sal leg-portion j together and between said anchor-block 25and said slip-collar 29, thus securely lbinding said parts together instrong frictional relation against movement' relatively one to theother, as will be more particularly understood from an inspection ofFigs.'3 land 7 of the accompanying drawings. Secured within the lowerend of each extensible leg-portion 22 is the butt 32 of an outwardlyprojecting foot-piece 33, which magI be of any suitable design or form.

ecured xedly upon each main leg-membei-"21, preferably adjacent to thelower end thereof, is a yoke-piece 34 having a pair of oppo'sitelyextending pivot-j ournals 35, upon whichare pivoted the ends of a pairofstays 36, one of which extends Jfrom each side of said legmember 21.Slidably disposed upon the exterior surface ofsaid main body or standard2 is a movable yoke-piece 37 having .outwardly extending perforated mainleg-member and said extensible ears 38 adapted to carry pivot-journals38 to wliichthe opposite ends of said stays 36 are pivotally secured.Whenthe leg-members 21` areswung outwardly upon their plvotalconnections with said main-body or f standard 2, said movable yoke-piece37 slides downward upon said main-body or standard 1 3()A 95 of saidmain leg-member- 21-for any desired distance.' Being thus extended, theexten- 2 until brought to rest against a pair of stopstuds 39 which aresecured to said maili- .body or standard. 2 so as to project outwardlytherefrom adjacent tothe lower end thereof. In this manner the said stas 36.

slightly toward the main-body or standard 2 thus firmly maintaining saidmovable yoke-piece 37 in 4engagement with said stopstuds 39, and firmlyheld against any tendency to move upward with a consequent tendency ofthe leg-members to move inwardly to their folded yor collapsedpositions.

Of course it will be understood'that my novel construction of scaffoldjack may be made in various sizes in accordance with the demands madethereon relative to their supporting strength and rigidity. When saidnovel scaffold jacks are made 'in-the larger or heavier sizes, it isdesirable to reinforce or brace the leg-members thereof against anylateral movement which might result in a displacement thereof fromproper supporting position, and a consequent collapse of the jack. Tothis end I provide in association with the leg-members of said jack anovel construction of laterally extending foldable brace-members adaptedto extend from one leg-member to another. These brace-members eachcomprise a pair of brace or strut members 40, the outer ends of whichare provided with hinge-links 41, adapted to be pivotally connected withsaid leg-members by means of hinge-staples 42 which are preferablyaiiixed to said stays 36 at a point thereon adjacent to the pivotalconnection thereof with said leg-members 21. inner ends of said brace orstrut members 40 are connected together with suitable break jointdevices, preferably in the form of a ball member 43 connected with onebrace or strut member, and a socket-member 44, adapted to embrace saidball-member, connected with the other brace or strut member, although itwill be apparent that other forms of break joint devices may be employed if desired. -When said leg-members 21 are spread in operativeposition said respective brace or strut members 40 are alined togetherso as to extend laterally between said leg-members, and when insuch'position it is preferable to lock the break joint devices thereofagainst ,yielding or pivotal action. To this end a locking means isprovided in the form of a slidable bolt 45 which slides in a tubularguide-way 46 which extends marcio The through the ball and socketmembers 43 and 44.

aid bolt 45 is provided with a transv versely projecting finger-piece 47which extends through a slot 48 formed in one of said brace or Astrutmembers 40, so that said bolt may be manipulated thereby. When it isdesired to lock said break joint the said slidable bolt 45 is thrustthrough `the balll and socket members 43 and 44, as shown in Fig. 5 ofthe drawings, thus preventing any ,pivotal action of said break joint,and thereby holding said brace or strut members 40 in rigid alinementand operatively extending between said leg-members 21, so that anytendency of the latter to shift laterally, or to become displaced fromproper supporting 'position will be Checked and prevented.

It will be clearly understood` from the' above description that myherewith presented construction of scaffoldV jack is very 'simple incharacter, yet is capable of quick and easy manipulation to set up thesame, and is further capable -of being variously adjusted in itsextended set up position to accommodate the same very readily to thedemands made thereon as to height of the scaffold supported thereby, andasV to position or direction of extension of the beams or rails 10,since the latter may be extended in any direction by reason of theswiveled connection of the 'head-frames 5 With which they are connected.it will also'be understood that in using the scaffold jack, two

or more of the same will be employed, in

accordance with the'kind 'and position-,of scaffolding desired.'

By an inspection of Fig. 4 'of lthe accompanying drawings, it will beclearly understood, that my novel sca'old jack may be lfoldedup orcollapsed so as to render its V bulklverycompact, when it is desired tmove the sameor store the same away when not in use. To fold up thenovel scadold jack, the extensible standard 3 is unlocked and thrustdownwardly and telescopically into said main-body or standard 2, andthen locked in such position'by the spring-latch.

supon said main-body or standard 2, which draws' in the stays 36 'andfolds lthe legmembers 21 in close parallel relation to said main-body orstandard 2, said lateral brace or strut members simultaneously foldingup as shown. rlhen the extensible leg-portions 22 are released fromlocking relation to said leg-members 21, and thrust upwardly andtelescopically into the latter, in which updrawn position they may belocked b said locln'ng devices. The lower ends of sald legmembers 2l, orif desired the extensible the lvarious i' self to the exact details ofthe construction l of said parts as shown in the accompanyingleg-plortions 22, are provided catc 'devices 49, the nosing 50 ofwhisnwll engage over the marginal edge ofthe lower end of -saidextensible standard 3, or if desired the lower end of said nain-body or`standard 2, to retain said leg-members 21` their folded up `positions.It will thus be seen that the. scafold-jack will -be .re-

duced lto avery compact. and easily portable bulk.

My novel construction of scaffold jack is also very strong anddurable,'and capable of carryin a heavy load, yetv at the' same time maye `made tobe of relatively light weight to render the same easilyportable` all fortheY reason that it is principally constrcted ofmetallic tubin which provides not only requisite strengt and durability,

` but also the other necessary requirement, to

wit, lightness ofweight. a

I am aware that some binations of the various devices and parts of myApresent invention, as well-asL in the details of the construction ofthe same, without departing from the scope thereof as set forth intheforegoing specification,-

and as dened in the claims appended hereto. .Hence, I do not limit myinvention to the exact arrangements and combinations of going specication, nor do I conine mydrawings..

I claim A v1. in a device of the and described a ,central standardleg-members pivoted to said standard, a sldable yoke on said standard,stays pivoted between said.legmem.

bers and said yoke, and a foldable brace- A changes Amay be' made in.the'several arrangements and com-` arts as described in the fore-`ymember connected v between adjacent iegmembers.

2. In a device of the kind described 'a central standard, leg-memberspivoted to said standard, foldable stays between saidv leg-members andsaid standard, foldable brace-members connected-between adjacentleg-members, and means for locking said" brace-members in rigid lateralextension from one leg-member to another.

3. In a devicev of the kind described a central standard, leg-memberspivoted to said standard, foldable stays between said leg-members andsaidl standard, foldable brace-members connected between adjacentlleg-members, comprising a pair of'strutmembers, the outer ends of whichare respectively pivoted to adjacent leg-members,

"and a'yieldable joint connecting together the innerends of saidstrut-members.

4.7 In aI device of the kind described a central standard, leg-memberspivoted to 4said standard, foldable stays between said leg-members andtsaid standard, foldable brace-members connected between adjacent Y.

leg-members, comprising a pair of strutlmembers,`,the outer endsofvwhich are respectively pivoted to adjacent le -members,

a yieldable joint connecting toget er the in-

